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Against information literacy

Williams, P.; (2006) Against information literacy. Library + Information Update , 5 (7-8) p. 20. Green open access

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Abstract

This article argues that advocates of “information literacy” (IL) within the library profession are guilty of grossly exaggerating its importance. It presents several, referenced examples of hyperbole in recent literature and shows how this is partly a consequence of a conflation of IL with lifelong learning. Identifies a tendency amongst IL proponents to write about information-seeking in generic, abstract terms and to over-emphasise its complexity. Criticises the lack of debate within the UK IL movement and notes its failure to respond to the discourse of Web 2.0. The article proposes a more modest and practical model of information skills, closer to the librarian’s traditional role of guiding and advising students and researchers.

Type: Article
Title: Against information literacy
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
Publisher version: http://www.cilip.org.uk/publications/updatemagazin...
Language: English
Keywords: information literacy
UCL classification: UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > VP: Research > Library Services
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/3844
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